"Both Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev have repeatedly suggested that they may run in the 2012 presidential election.
But neither of them has announced an official bid, and they have put considerable effort into keeping everyone guessing. When questioned, Putin and Medvedev say they will consult with each other in order to decide who will seek the presidency.
But one thing is clear: Putin, Russia's most powerful politician, will have the decisive say in determining who will serve as president for the next six years.
Once his choice is made sometime this year, the ruling elite will close ranks and support the chosen candidate. The outcome of his informal choice will most likely be formalized in the March election, thanks to Putin's popularity, the enormous capabilities of the ruling elite to implement their preferences, and the questionable fairness of Russia's recent elections.
Medvedev will most probably accept Putin's choice, even if it entails his departure from the Kremlin and Putin's return to the presidency"................READ MORE
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